The quality and range of sporting pursuits the UK offers cannot be matched by many countries, underpinning demand.

Shift in demand

Scotland is renowned for its shooting, stalking and fishing, yet agents in the country report fewer sales this year.

Robert McCulloch, Strutt & Parker’s head of estate and farm sales in the country, said there had been a shift in the supply-demand dynamic.

At the end of July there were 25 estates for sale in Scotland, with just five deals having been agreed during the year.

At the same stage last year, deals were agreed for half of the 16 estates launched.

“While viewing levels remain reasonably good there is unquestionably a cautious air about the market that didn’t exist a year ago,” Mr McCulloch said.

“Many buyers of estates own or run businesses – it is inevitable that they will be circumspect about the impact of Brexit, which makes them equally cautious about committing to a discretionary purchase like a Scottish estate.”

Unique offering

Savills acknowledges the “Brexit effect” but the firm’s farms and estates director Alex Lawson said the UK still offers a relatively stable economic and political platform.

Dutch, French, German, Scandinavian, American and Middle Eastern bidders have been active in the UK, he said.

“For many, buying an estate is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, driven by a passion for one or more country sports and having space to enjoy them with family and friends,” he added.

“There is interest from abroad in the variety we offer, and at a sufficient scale, because there aren’t many countries around the world that can provide that.

“Driven shoots, for example, don’t happen in many countries and our chalk rivers are world-renowned.”